Binder locking mechanism



April 14:,A 1942. E. A, KoELLlNG i. 2,279,503 v `BNDEIRLOGKlNG-MECHANISM Y l Filed Nov. 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l April-14,1942.l E, A, KOLUNG 2,279,503

BINDER LOCKING MECHANISM' i Filed Nov. 8, 1939 I 2 sheets-sheet 2rroRA/E/ Patented Apr. 14, 1942 Unirse orifice BINDER LOCKINGBEECHANISNI Edward a. neming, si.' Louis, Mo. Application November 8,1939, SerialNo. 303,347 2- claims. (c1. 12e-23) binders, the posts ofwhich are of varying distances apart.

Another object is to provide a novel'oating locking mechanism whichincludes means for preventing dislocation of the working elements.

Another object is to provide a novel locking mechanism which includesmeans for firmly gripping smooth or annularly recessed binder posts.

Another object is to provide a novel locking mechanism of generaladaptation to post binders.

Another object is to provide Aa novel locking mechanism for post binders`which is simple in construction, easy to install, simple to manipulate,and positive in action.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent' from the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. l is a top view of a non-protruding post binder, the upper casingof which is adapted. to

receive an embodiment of the present invention, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is an end View of the non-protrudingA post binder shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of the casing of the non-protruding postbinder shown in Fig. 1, disclosing a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention installed therein, the elements thereof being in post-grippingrelationship, parts ofl the case being broken away for purposes ofclarity; Fig. 4 is a section through the case of the cover of theillustrated post binder showing the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention located therein in released relationship;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a section onthe line 6 6 of Fig. 3; Fig. '7 is a section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3;Fig. 8 is a section on the line8-8 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a section on theline 9-9 of Fig. 3; Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a carrier elementoi the present locking mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a perspective of the post-engaging element of the presentlocking mechanism;

assemblages in engagement with an ungrooved binder post;

Fig. 13 is a section on` the line l3-l`3 of Fig. 12; and,

Fig. llll is a viewof assemblage.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, thereis disclosed a nona slightly modified locking protruding post bindergenerally designated l which includes an upper case 2l, an upper cover22, upper hinge elements 23j, loose leaves 24, a lower case 25, a lowercover 26,'lower hinge elements 2l, and two spaced posts 28 and 29. Thecases 2E and 25 are shown as uncovered for simplicity. The posts 28 and23 are.anchored in the`- lower case 25 and extend into, but notthrough,l

the upper case 2l through suitable apertures 30. Each of the posts 28and 29 includes an annular groove 32 near the upper end in a position tolie y wholly within the upper case 2l. (Fig. 6).

Within the case 2l is a locking mechanism of the oating type generallydesignated 35. A shaft 35 extends longitudinally of the case 2lwhichincludes a reduced extremity 31, a threaded'segment 38, and a squaredextremity 39 (Fig.

4). The threaded segment 38 may be of sub-A stantial extent in order toaccommodate the locking mechanism to varying spaces between binderposts.

A locking assemblage generally designated 40.

is rotatably mounted onthe reduced extremity 31 ofthe shaft 36 andincludes a carrier or rider 4| (Fig. 10) and a post-engaging element 42(Fig. 11)

The rider al mondes a. fiat body 45 and rightangularly extending flanges46 which are curved Fig. 12 is a plan View of one of the locking. 55

at each end 41 to conform to the-curved ends of .thecase 2l. Alignedapertures 48 extend through one end of the flangesll. A notch 49is inthe free edge of each of the ilanges 46, being disposed in alignedrelationship. There is a slot 50 in the body 45 which extends in thedirection of the aligned apertures v48.

The post-engaging element 42r includes a segment 52 anda segment 53disposed at an angle. 1

A slot 54 isA disposed through the segment r52 and extendslongitudinally thereof.A Projectionsl 55 extend from the sides of thesegment 5'2f at substantially the juncturev of the segments 52 Thesegment 53 includes a V-notch 56', f

and 53. the dening walls ofV which are atan angle to the plane of thesegment 53, a relationship which f walls of the notch 55 comprise thepost-contacting portions of the post-contacting element 42.

The post-engaging element 42 is disposed in engagement with the rider4|, with the projections 55 abutting one flange 45 adjacent the notch 49and with the segment 53 disposed in the notch 49 (Fig. '7). The fit ofthe parts is snug, so that this t together with the snug fit of theassemblage 49 in the case 2| causes the element 42 to remain in theaforesaid position in the rider 4|.

The extremity 31 of the shaft 36 extends through the aligned apertures48 in loose relationship, the inward flange 45 abutting a washer 58which, in turn, abuts the shoulder formed at the juncture of the reducedextremity 31 and the main body of the shaft 35. A second washer 59 isdisposed adjacent the outer face of the other flange 45, the end of thereduced extremity 31 being peened over to prevent removal of the washer59. The shaft 35 is thus rotatable relative to the locking assemblage40, although there is no relative longitudinal movement.

`A second locking -assemblage 59 (Fig. 4) is threadedly mounted on thethreaded segment 38 of the shaft 39. The locking assemblage B isidentical in every respect with the locking assemblage 4U, except thealigned apertures 48 are threaded and, therefore, requires no particulardescription.

The locking mechanism 35 is disposed within the `case 2| in the mannershown in Fig. 4 with the locking assemblage 49 disposed adjacent thepost 28 and the locking assemblage 60 disposed adjacent the post 29. Arivet 54 extends through the aligned slots 50 and 54 ofeach of thelocking assemblages 45 and 6|) and is anchored in the opposed sides ofthe case 2 The squared extremity 39 of the shaft 35 extends intoadjacent relationship with an aperture 9| in an end cap 52 to receive akey 53. l A rider 65 of the same configuration as that of the rider 4lis disposed about the end of the shaft 3B adjacent the squared extremity39, being maintained in this position by an indentation 56 in the case2l (Fig. 4). The rider 55 maintains that portion of the shaft 35adjacent the squared extremity 39 in alignment.

In Fig. 14 there is shown a modified locking A mechanism 35' wherein thelocking assemblage 49 is in threaded relation with a threaded portion61, the Aaligned apertures 43' having lefthand threads.' The otherelements of the locking mechanism 35 are the same as in the lockingmechanism 35 previously described.

In Figs. 12 and 13 there is disclosed a post 29 which is ungrooved. TheV-notch of the segment 53 has engagement with the full diameter of thepost 29'. The remaining elements of the disclosure are the same aspreviously described.

Operation The assembly of the present device is apparent from theforegoing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.v

Itis suicient to state that the locking mechanism 35 is disposed in thecase 2|, as shown in Fig. 4, with the locking assemblage 40r disposed tobe adjacent the post 28 and the locking assemblage and 29, the case 2|is disposed over the upper. ends 'of the posts 28 and 29. Themanipulation of the key 53 rotates the shaft 35 to force the lockingassemblages 40 and 60 into engagement with the posts 28 and 29, inasmuchas the locking assemblage rides along the shaft 36 by virtue of itsengagement with the threaded segment 38. The V-notches 55 of the lockingassemblages 40 and 59 engage the walls of the grooves 32 in bindingrelationship to maintain the case 2| and its associated cover 22 inoperative disposition.

The shaft 35 is under considerable strain when the locking mechanism 35is in locking engagement, so that there is a tendency to bend. The rider55 prevents the end of the shaft 35 adjacent the squared extremity 39from bending out of alignment, so that the squared extremity 39 isalways accessible by the key 53.

Release of the locking mechanism 35 is accomplished by rotating theshaft 35 in a direction contrary to the rotation required to effectlocking. The floating arrangement of the lockingmechanism 35 permits thedrawing of the locking'assemblage 49 inwardly, due to longitudinalmovement of the locking assemblage 60.

The walls of the V-notch 55 of each of the locking assemblages 49 and 59permit gripping engagement of the post-engaging element 42 with a smoothpost in the manner shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The edges of the V-notch55, in effect, bite into the wall of the smooth post.

Both of the locking assemblages may have threaded engagement with theshaft, if desired, as shown in Fig. 14. This construction isadvantageous for certain installations.

It is apparent that the locking assemblages 40 and 6|) are of simple yetunique construction. The post-engagingelement 42 may be disposed ineither direction across the rider 4| to dispose the segment 53 in thenotch 49 vof either flange 46. It becomes unnecessary, therefore, tohave rightand left-hand elements. Where both of the locking assemblages40 and 65 threadedly engage the shaft 36, it is necessary to haverighthand and left-hand threaded aligned apertures 48,.but each rider 4|may be provided with two pairs of aligned apertures of reversethreading,

if desired.

The present invention may be employed with a non-protruding post binder,as shown, or it maybe used with binders having protruding posts. It iseffective with both stationary and flexible posts. The Vnotch 5G of eachof the locking assemblages 49 and 59 is of a construction to accommodateitself to a wide range of post diameters.

The particular configuration of the several elements of the presentdevice may be changed within the scope of the present invention. Each ofthe elements is, of course, constructed from suitable material, thepost-engaging elements being preferably case-hardened.

It is apparent that there has been provided a device which fullls all ofthe objects and advantages sought therefor. It is to be understood thatthe foregoing description and accompany ing drawings havebeen given byway of illustration `and example, and not for purposes of limitation,the invention beingI limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the kind described, a locking mechanism for postbinders disposed within a case including'a shaft disposed longitudinallywithin the case, spaced members within the case connected to said shaft,one of said members being threadedly connected to said shaft formovement therealong, the other of said members being connected to saidshaft to permit rotative movement of the shaft, each of said membersincluding a carrier and a post-engaging element disposed in xedrelationship to each other when assembled, said post-engaging'elementbeing removable from the carrier, said carrier being of a configurationto receive said post-engaging element in positions at 180 to each other,each of said members being adjacent a binder post, and means to rotatesaid shaft to move said post-engaging elements into and out ofengagement with the binder posts.

2. In a device of the kind described, a locking mechanism for postbinders disposed Within a case including a shaft disposed longitudinallywithin the case, spaced members connected to the shaft to permitrotation of said shaft, each member being disposed adjacent a binderpostL each' member including a carrier connected to said shaft and apost-engaging element, said carrier being of inverted U conguration,each y i leg of said carrier being of a configuration vtov engage abinder post, and means to rotate said shaft to force said members intobinding contact With the binder posts.

l EDWARD A. KOELLING.

